South India Unplugged

Unplug from everyday routine and head to the beaches and backwaters of southern India. Explore the lush landscapes, intriguing religions, exotic bazaars and incredible contrasts of this region. Jump on and off local transport, go rural through backwater coconut groves and fishing villages, and discover the heart of the subcontinent. See ancient ruins and stunning temples, eat spicy curries and drink luscious lassis. Join the bustle of city streets and at the end of it all unwind on the beautiful beaches of Goa.

Why we love this trip

Explore the beautiful south of India, getting elbows-deep in authentic southern Indian cuisine

A homestay with a local family is a special experience, especially in the serene backwaters of Kerala

Wander through Periyar National Park on the lookout for tigers and elephants

The city of Madurai showcases southern India at its liveliest. Explore the city’s bazaars and discover the colourful, intricately carved Sri Meenakshi Temple

Visit the World Heritage-listed Virupaksha Temple in Hampi, a spectacular monument surrounded by ruins

Golden beaches and age-old fishing villages make Goa one of India’s most tranquil retreats – and the perfect last stop on your adventure

Is this trip right for you?

It’s important to prepare for hot sticky temperatures during the day and cooler climates in the evening. Layers are the best way to tackle this disparity in weather. Please also ensure that you use adequate sun protection and drink plenty of water.

We visit a number of temples on this trip, which requires a certain level of modesty. Please bring clothes that cover the arms and pants/skirts that go past the knees. A light scarf is also a good idea for covering shoulders and arms when it’s hot.

This trip involves some long overnight train journeys, including a 10-hour train to Hampi and nine-hour train to Goa. While this can be tiresome, entertaining chaiwalas (tea vendors), food vendors and conversations with locals make this a rewarding experience. For your own security, take a lock for your hand luggage on the sleeper train journey.

You will also be travelling by local bus on this trip. While conditions are basic, this is a great way to rub shoulders with the locals while enjoying the passing scenery.

Gallery

Itinerary

Welcome to India. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. Please look for a note in the hotel lobby or ask the hotel reception where it will take place. We'll be collecting your insurance details and next of kin information at this meeting, so please ensure you have all these details to provide to your leader. Afterwards, go on an orientation walk with your guide around Trivandrum.

Accommodation

Hotel (1 night)

Included Activities

Trivandrum - Orientation Walk

Meals Included

In the morning, head up the coast for around two hours to the town of Varkala. Once settled into your hotel, use some free time to explore the Keralan coast, which is home to some of India’s most pristine beaches. Soaring cliffs protect Varkala’s sandy bay and, depending on the time of year, dolphins can be spotted from high up on the rocks. In the evening, maybe head into town to one of the numerous restaurants serving fresh, local seafood.

Accommodation

Resort (1 night)

Meals Included

Enjoy a free day in Varkala. This is a great place to sit back and relax, but if you want to get active there are plenty of water activities on offer, such as surfing and windsurfing. Even though this is a popular destination for Indian tourists, the beaches are quiet and laid-back. Take it easy for the day before the rest of south India beckons.

Accommodation

Resort (1 night)

Meals Included

Today take a local three-hour train along the Keralan coastline to Alappuzha (Alleppey). Once an important trading port and now famous for the annual 'Snake Boat Race’ in August, Alappuzha is the starting point for most journeys into the backwaters. An auto rickshaw will take you from the train station to the boat boarding point. Explore the backwaters in a pole boat, before heading to an island village for an overnight homestay with a local family. Your guide will take you on a walk around the village and introduce you to the local community.

Included Activities

Kerala Backwaters - Pole Boat Ride

Kerala Backwaters - Village walk

Meals Included

Lunch

Dinner

Special Information

Note: Accommodation is on a multi-share basis. All the families in the community live within a few hundred metres of each other, with at least one person in each family speaking a reasonable standard of English. Food is traditional Keralan home-cooking.

In the morning cross the backwaters by private boat back to Alappuzha. The group will then take a local two-hour bus to Kochi, arriving around midday. Once there, go on an orientation walk around the Fort Cochin area, where you’ll be staying for the next two nights. In the evening, there’s the option to attend a classic Kathakali dance performance at 5 pm.

Accommodation

Hotel (1 night)

Optional Activities

Kochi - Kathakali performance - INR300

Meals Included

Today, head to the Mattancherry part of Fort Cochin to explore the old Jewish quarter, synagogue and Dutch Palace (Kochi Palace) on a guided walking tour. The tour takes around three hours, with the rest of the day free to do as you wish. Why not join one of our Urban Adventures day tours, such as Fort Kochi by Bike or Home Cooked Kochi. Please check with your leader in advance if you’d like to book one of these trips.

Accommodation

Hotel (1 night)

Included Activities

Kochi - Fort Kochi sightseeing walk

Optional Activities

Kochi - Dutch Palace - INR5

Kochi - Fort Kochi by Bike Urban Adventure - USD62

Kochi - Home Cooked Kochi Urban Adventure - USD52

Meals Included

In the morning travel to Periyar National Park, which should take around four hours. Once settled into the hotel, head out on a tour of a local spice farm, sampling cardamom, pepper, clove, cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla. In the evening, sit down with owner of the farm and their family for an authentic Indian dinner.

Accommodation

Hotel (1 night)

Included Activities

Periyar - Spice farm tour & dinner

Meals Included

After breakfast, enjoy a free day with an optional walk around Periyar National Park. Be on the look out for tigers and other wildlife such as bison, wild boar, elephants and spotted deer. Set high in the ranges of the Western Ghats, this wildlife sanctuary surrounds a picturesque lake formed by the building of a dam in 1895. If you’re lucky, you might even see Indian elephants bathe playfully in the lake.

Accommodation

Hotel (1 night)

Optional Activities

Periyar National Park - Guided Wildlife Walk - INR750

Meals Included

In the morning, take a local bus to Madurai (approximately 3-4 hours). This buzzy city is crammed full of bazaars, pilgrims and cycle-rickshaws. After a walking tour to see the sights, perhaps visit the Sri Meenakshi Temple. This ancient temple is still in use and features a labyrinth of lamp-lit corridors leading to shrines.

Accommodation

Hotel (1 night)

Included Activities

Madurai - Walking tour

Optional Activities

Madurai - Sri Meenakshi Temple - INR50

Meals Included

Today is a free day in Madurai. Perhaps head to the Gandhi Museum to learn about the man who fought for India’s independence or wander through the 1,000 pillars of Aayiram Kaal Mandapam. This is also a great opportunity to haggle with vendors at the bazaars and the tailors' market. In the evening, take an overnight sleeper train to Mysore (approximately seven hours). Sleeper trains are clean and air-conditioned, and beds are padded berths with sheets, pillow and blanket provided (although some people prefer to bring their own sleeping sheet). Please note that you may be sharing with locals of the same or opposite gender.

Accommodation

Overnight sleeper train (1 night)

Optional Activities

Madurai - Aayiram Kaal Mandapam - INR50

Madurai - Gandhi Museum - Free

Meals Included

There are no meals included on this day.

Special Information

Sleeper trains are clean and air-conditioned, and beds are padded berths with sheets, pillow and blanket provided (although some people prefer to bring their own sleeping sheet). Please note that you may be sharing with locals of the same or opposite gender.

In the morning, board a local bus from the train station to your hotel in Mysore. Mysore is an easy-going town with a pleasant climate. Go on an orientation walk, checking out the ornate Mysore Palace along the way. There’s also the option to visit the Keshava Temple in Somnathpur, which is a stunning example of Hoysala architecture. The temple is a one-hour drive out of town.

Accommodation

Hotel (1 night)

Included Activities

Mysore - Orientation Walk

Optional Activities

Mysore - Keshava Temple - INR200

Mysore - Maharaja's Palace - INR200

Meals Included

Today is a free day in Mysore, with plenty of optional activities to keep you busy. Perhaps explore the countryside surrounding Mysore. Climb up Chamundi Hill to the Sri Chamundeswari Temple at the top, which is dedicated to the goddess Durga. At 7 pm board an overnight 10-hour train to Hampi via northern Karnataka.

Accommodation

Overnight sleeper train (1 night)

Optional Activities

Mysore - Chamundi Hill & Temple - INR100

Meals Included

In the morning, arrive into Hampi and cross the river to your guesthouse by canoe. Hampi is a temple town situated on the banks of the Tungabhadra River. Once you’re settled in, make an optional visit to the architectural masterpiece of Vittala Temple. This 16th-century temple contains mandapas (pillared pavilions), a pool, a palace and the popular stone chariot, which according to Hindu mythology was the vehicle of the Lord Vishnu.

Accommodation

Guesthouse (1 night)

Optional Activities

Hampi - Vittala temple - INR500

Meals Included

After breakfast, explore the ruins of the Vijayanagar Empire and the huge boulders on the outskirts of town. Use the rest of the day to explore. In the early evening, drive for around three hours by private vehicle to Hubli, where you’ll board an overnight nine-hour train to Goa.

Accommodation

Overnight sleeper train (1 night)

Meals Included

Once the train arrives in Goa, head to the hotel and check in. Brimming with Portuguese influences and famous for the sandy beaches lining its coast, Goa is a fascinating region in India's southwest. The day is free to do what you like. Perhaps relax on the beach, sip a cocktail at a local bar or go for a final dinner in the evening with the rest of the travel group.

Accommodation

Hotel (1 night)

Meals Included

There are no activities planned for the final day and you’re able to depart the accommodation at any time. Goa is a great place to end the trip – if you can, we recommend staying on for a couple of nights to relax and explore.

Dates & availability

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Important notes

1. A single supplement is available on this trip. The single supplement is available for all nights with the exception of the overnight sleeper trains on nights 10, 12 and 14 .Please see under the Single Traveller section of your Trip Notes for more information.

Essential Trip Information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

Reviews

Mikhaila O'Sullivan

Santo James our guide was an amazing nothing was ever too much! He really engaged with us and had a really great attitude !he told us about India his life family etc ! We even made him show us his wedding album ! :) The basic trip was great as there was still a huge amount of the real India etc and you don't feel herded around! It also builds confidence on using local transport e.g local buses / overnight trains ! Had an excellent group too which makes everything better - people on basic tours generally tend to have more of s chilled open minded attitude ! The itinerary also worked very well lots to do but lots of free time to do your own thing. This is a great trip as an Intro to India as the South is much less hectic than the North !

Esther Sweetman

Intrepid is a great way to see parts of the world in a short space of time. By doing a trip like some of theirs you can fit much more in that booking it on your own. So far I have had some amazing local guides that have passion for their history and culture.

Review submitted 01 Dec 2016

South India Unplugged trip reviews

Our South India Unplugged trips score an average of 4.8 out of 5
based on 74 reviews in the last year.